Published: September 13, 2009 11:22 pm      

Concert Association to kick off season

Bringing the finest music to Beckley since 1938, the Beckley Concert Association will kick off its 71st season this month.

The volunteer, nonprofit organization is offering five concerts during the 2009-2010 season, which begins Sept. 25 with a performance from the Harry James Orchestra. Betsy Gilmer, BCA president, said the orchestra is made up of a small group of 12 performers.

“The Harry James Orchestra is now headed by Fred Radke,” Gilmer added. “He is a conductor, educator, recording artist and composer, and has appeared on CBS, NBC, ABC and CBC television networks.”

Gilmer said it is an exciting opportunity for the association to bring groups like the Harry James Orchestra to Beckley.

The Beckley Concert Association is staffed by volunteers, but applies for grants occasionally to keep it up and running.

“This year we received the National Endowment for the Arts through the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation,” Gilmer said. “We also received a grant for West Virginia Commission on the Arts through the Division of Culture and History.”

The remainder of their funding comes from personal subscriptions and various donations from friends, associates and benefactors.

“What we’re doing at this point, is trying to expand our audience,” said John Yurick, chairman of the association’s selection committee. “We’ve gone from presenting mostly classical music to the writing that you see now, such as classic big band jazz or world music with a Celtic touch.”

The California Guitar Trio will arrive in Beckley for the second show of the season on Friday, Oct. 16.

“The trio plays Vivaldi and then follows it up with a medley of surf music,” Yurick continued. “They play such a wide variety of music and are a lot of fun to see.”

“The California Guitar Trio will also hold a student workshop at the Woodrow Wilson High School Auditorium during the noon hour for students that are notified through the Board of Education that they are welcome to attend the event,” Gilmer said. “The workshop will be held again in the evening for subscribers.”

Yurick said he believes that people’s idea of good music is rapidly expanding.

“People are exposed to a lot of different music,” the chairman and board member said. “We are just trying to augment that as an organization, present different genres and find the best music out of those genres.”

That is why Cherish the Ladies is third on the list to perform.

“Cherish the Ladies are one of the greatest Celtic music groups in the world,” Yurick continued, “They are a smaller chamber type of group and are up next after the trio, on Friday, Nov. 20.”

Gilmer added, “Cherish the Ladies is an all female, Irish-American musical group that is very upbeat. They incorporate lots of dancing and Celtic music.”

In addition to the 2009 events, the West Virginia Symphony will be back on March 27, 2010, to perform an all-Mozart program. Also in the spring, the association will feature a revue of music from the 1970s. The last performance is called Yesterday Once More, and will showcase music from artists of that era.

“This is unusual for us really,” Yurick said. “We are really branching out and looking for a younger audience of people who grew up with ’70s music.” The show will feature covers of songs from Billy Joel, The Carpenters and Barry Manilow, and is led by pianist and arranger Mac Frampton.

All Beckley Concert Association performances will be held at the Woodrow Wilson High School Auditorium, but those who subscribe to all five shows earn free admission to Summer 2010 performances at Theatre West Virginia simply by showing their BCA ticket.

“We are partnering with TWV for the 2010 season,” Gilmer said. “You can show your season ticket for the concerts and get to attend “Honey and the Rock” and/or “Hatfields and McCoys”.

“One other thing is that these tickets are good at concerts in Bluefield,” the president added. “There’s a reciprocal agreement with the Blue Mountain Performing Arts, and you can take your ticket and go over there to their concerts as well. The long-standing agreement between the two groups gives subscribers the opportunity to attend around 12 events.”

The upcoming season runs from September 2009 to April 2010. The Beckley Concert Association is a membership-driven organization, but individual tickets are available.

“A family membership is $85, and includes two adults and all children in the home,” Gilmer said. “Adult tickets are $40, students $15 and probably the backbone of our group, senior citizens 60 and over, cost $35.”

If you are interested in subscribing to this season’s musical events, call Gilmer at 304-253-8923 or Freda Soter at 304-253-9591. For more information, visit www.beckleyconcerts.org.

— E-mail: cclark@register-herald.com